THE ENCOURAGER   "…to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian Service to build up the body of Christ.”

First Baptist Church * Woodruff, South Carolina

December 16 - 29, 2009

A Christmas Musical Celebrating

Emmanuel, the King of Kings!

Presented by the Adult Choir

This Sunday  *  11:00 am

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C. Andrew Shull, Pastor                                                                                                 Debra J. Fortner, Secretary

Robert L. Blanton, Jr., Music Director                                                                                 Kay M. Young, Pianist

 Kelly R. Smith, Youth & Children's Director                                                             James R. Skinner, Custodian

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Sunday, December 20

Sunday School

GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

Luke 1:67-79

Morning Worship Service

THE NAME… JESUS

Celebrating Emmanuel, The King of Kings

Presented by the Adult Choir

Evening Worship Service

CAROLS & COCOA

Ornament Exchange

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Thursday, December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

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Sunday December 27

Sunday School

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Philippians 2:56-11

Worship Service

Student Day at Christmas

ALPHA AND OMEGA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

                            Ruskin Casey, 12-21 Ken Morrison, 12-24

                            Mary Lanford, 12-21 Tina Osborne, 12-25

                            Charles Hembree, 12-22 Jim Young, 12-26

                            Conn Mason, 12-22 Becky Godfrey, 1-1

                            Jean Harrill, 12-23 Coy Teague, 1-1

                            Richard McAbee, 12-24

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY

We extend our love and prayerful support to

The Family of Paul Bell.

THE NAME… JESUS

A Christmas Musical

Celebrating Emmanuel, The King of Kings

This Sunday, December 20 * 11:00 am

Presented by the Adult Choir

The world in which we live doesn’t really mind people talking about religion or praying to a higher power. All is well until the name Jesus Christ is spoken. I believe the name Jesus is the lightning rod. There is power in the name of Jesus, and it is intimidating and convicting. It divides good and evil... right and wrong. The more I thought about the intolerance of the world toward the Lord Jesus Christ, the more I desired to proclaim His name and the life changing power that it brings. The songs and narration contained in this Christmas project are my loving attempt to make known what I believe is the only hope humanity has… the name… Jesus! - Mike Speck

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Goal: $5,000.00 * Received: $2,928.50

OVER AND ABOVE OFFERING

Sanctuary Heating and Air

Over and Above Fund Balance: $ 48,869.20

GIFTS TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Over & Above Offering

In Memory of Raymond Craig

Willard Oil Company

Mr & Mrs Freddie Shirley

Buck & Joyce King

Lottie Moon Offering

In Memory of LeRoi & Polly O’Dell

In Memory of O’Neal & Blanche Wood

Phil & Myra Wood

In Memory of Raymond Craig

In Memory of Edna Burrell

In Memory of Joe Clark

Bobby & Mary Dell Scott

BIBLE STUDY & STEWARDSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Preschool 5

Children 17

Youth 14

Adults 112

Total Attendance 148

BUDGET December 13 2009

Needs $ 8,140.00 $ 407,000.00

Offering $ 5,250.25 $ 394,978.02

Over/(Under) ($ 2,889.75) ($ 12,021.98)

DESIGNATED FUNDS December 13

Over and Above Offering $ 215.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 715.00

Designated Offerings $ 281.00

Total Designated $1,211.00

TOTAL $ 6,461.25

CAROLS & COCOA

And Ornament Exchange

This Sunday, December 20

6:00 pm * Fellowship Hall

Join us for this informal time of worship and fellowship and enjoy homemade cider and cocoa with all the trimmings.

If you would like to… bring a Christmas ornament to exchange.

CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE STUDY

This Wednesday, December 16 * 6:30 pm

Join us for a great time of Bible study! We will not meet for Bible study next Wednesday, December 23.

CARE VISITS & CAROLING

This Thursday, December 17 * 8:30 am

We will visit the care homes where our members live in Laurens and Woodruff and return before lunch.

Next Tuesday, December 22 * 8:30 am

We will visit the care homes where our members live in Spartanburg and Mauldin and then enjoy lunch together.

HEALING HEART MEMORIAL SERVICE

This Thursday, December 17 * 7:00 pm * FBCW

You are invited to this special service sponsored by Healing Heart, a grief support group ministry. It is open to everyone, especially those who have lost loved ones and will include a candle light memorial.

CHURCH SOFTBALL LEAGUE?

The City of Woodruff Parks & Recreation has set up a meeting to see if there is enough interest to start a Church Softball League. The meeting will be Tuesday, January 12, at 6:30 pm at City Hall. Please contact the church office if you would be interested in being part of a team from our church.

SENIOR LOW IMPACT LINE DANCING

Beginning January 5 * Woodruff Leisure Center

The Spartanburg Parks Commission is offering this health and wellness program with specialized low risk, low impact line dances for seniors and active adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. You must be 50 or over to participate. The registration fee is $7.00 per month.

COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET

The Woodruff Community Clothes Closet is in need of winter clothes to distribute. You may drop them off in the mornings at Helping Hands (M-F) or at the Clothes Closet (Sat.). May will be our church’s month to staff the Clothes Closet. Contact the church office if your class or group would like to claim a Saturday.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Candlelight Communion Service

Thursday, December 24 * 5:00 pm

STUDENT DAY AT CHRISTMAS

Next Sunday Morning, December 27 * 11:00 am

Our college and graduate students are invited to help lead our worship service. Please call the church office if you would like to participate.

JANUARY BIBLE STUDY

Sunday Nights in January * Fellowship Hall

Stories for Life

Parables of the Kingdom in Matthew

GOLDEN AGE FELLOWSHIP

Wednesday, January 6 * 11:45 am

Join us for great food and fellowship! All are welcome!

“RUFUS AND BEULAH RETIRE!”

Presented by Dina Hair and Lisa Yarber from the

Martha Franks Retirement Center

Hostesses: Edith McIntyre,

Molly Love, Sara Mudge, Judy Davidson

Devotional: Mary Dell Scott

WORLD CHANGERS MISSION TRIP

July 19 – 24, 2010 * Franklin, North Carolina

World Changers provides a dynamic missions experience. The trip is open to youth who will have completed the 9^th grade and to adults. We will be doing construction projects that may include roofing, painting, deck building and more for those in the Franklin area who are in need. A $50.00 deposit signs you up. See Kelly Smith for details.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Don’t forget to check the post office boxes located in the back foyer for your Christmas cards. Thank you for your donations to the youth mission trip.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE

December 16 – Regular schedule

December 23 – No services or regular activities

    December 30 – Church Wide Bible Study 6:30 pm

January 6 – Regular schedule

CHESS CLUB

Chess Club will not meet on December 22 or 29. We will resume on Tuesday, January 5 at 6:30 pm. Come and learn to play or enjoy some healthy competition.

THE ENCOURAGER

The Encourager will not be published next week. The next edition will be Wednesday, December 30, 2009.

The Church Office will be Closed:

Wednesday - Friday, December 23 – 25 & Friday, January 1

Regular Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Email: office@woodruff1st.org

Web site: www.woodruff1st.org

Telephone: (864) 476-8171 Fax: (864) 476-3141

THANKS!

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the prayers, cards, and visits both before and after my surgery. It is truly a blessing to be a part of such a loving and caring church family. Please continue to remember me in your prayers. God does answer and honor prayers from believers.

- Charles Hembree

Dear Church Family, Thank you for all the thoughtful cards, including the Christmas cards, I have received. They are very much appreciated and I enjoy reading each and every one of them. Thank you for remembering me.

In Christian Love, Mildred Huckaby

The Family of Raymond Craig would like to thank our church family for the many ways of kindness shown to us during the loss of our loved one. Thanks to Andrew for being there with us, the ladies that prepared the meal after the funeral and to all the memorials made to our church. We know it would have pleased Daddy very much. Continue to pray for us during this Christmas season as we go through this grieving time. - Jerald Ray Craig and families

DAY BY DAY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

5:15 pm Fellowship Supper

5:40 pm Preschool and Children’s Choir, Youth Lighthouse

6:30 pm Church-Wide Bible Study, Adult Choir,

Mission Friends, GA’s, RA’s, Challengers, Acteens

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17

8:30 am Care Visits – Laurens & Woodruff

7:00 pm Healing Heart Memorial Service

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

7:00 pm Deacon / Staff Gathering – Skinner’s

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20

9:00 am Handbell Practice

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Morning Worship Service

6:00 pm Carols & Cocoa/Ornament Exchange – Fellowship Hall

7:00 pm Youth Christmas Gathering – Youth Room

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

6:30 pm Martha Lewis Mission Group – Hix’s

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22

7:00 am Prayer Meeting

8:30 am Care Visits – Spartanburg & Mauldin

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

OFFICE CLOSED

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24

OFFICE CLOSED

5:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

OFFICE CLOSED

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27

9:45 am Bible Study for All Ages

11:00 am Student Day at Christmas Worship Service

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30

6:30 pm Church-Wide Bible Study

SHARING THE MINISTRY

Sunday, December 20

Greeters: L Caldwell, Z Orias (f), D Bailey (o), J Lanford (p)

Counting Team: C Walker, T & J Foster

Sound Booth: J Young B P Screening: L Rhodes

Nursery: B & L Abercrombie, J Waddell

Welcome Center: J McFerrin, K Brown

Ushers: T Westmoreland, L Craig (f), L Robertson (o), B Lanford (p)

Children’s Worship: K Smith, L Craig, H Orias

Outreach Notes: E Bryson

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Sunday, December 27

Greeters: L Caldwell, Z Orias (f), D Bailey (o), J Lanford (p)

Counting Team: C Walker, T & J Foster

Sound Booth: J Young B P Screening: K Fowler

Nursery: K Simpkins, H Smith, G Nash

Welcome Center: R & M R McAbee

Ushers: C Simpkins, Sr, T Foster (f), M Green (o), L Fowler (p)

Children’s Worship: L Orias, C Fortner, J Weaver

Outreach Notes: J Howard

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Wednesday, December 16 * 5:15 pm

Hamburgers, Chips, Cookies & Tea Cost: $2.00